The Backrooms is a fictional setting that originated on 4chan as creepypasta horror stories. It depicts endless maze-like office spaces and rooms that people can get trapped in, with various supernatural entities inhabiting different levels. Level 76 is one of the deeper levels that explorers have managed to reach and document.
What are the Backrooms?
The Backrooms are an endless maze of empty rooms, hallways, and office spaces. They are described as having old carpeting, fluorescent lights, and wallpaper from the 1970s or 1980s. There are no windows or discernable exits. The Backrooms are thought to exist in a parallel dimension, and people can become trapped in them by clipping through reality, usually by accident.
Once trapped, people report encountering various supernatural entities and experiencing unexplainable phenomena the deeper they go into the Backrooms. The space seems to be infinite, with explorers reporting navigating endless halls and rooms without finding any exits. The Backrooms are divided into different levels, with each level having distinct characteristics and entities.
How are the levels of the Backrooms organized?
The levels of the Backrooms are divided and numbered based on how deep they are and the characteristics of each level. The organization of the levels is as follows:
Level 0: The Starting Point
This is where people first end up after noclipping into the Backrooms. It consists of endless grayish-yellow offices and rooms with damp carpets, flickering fluorescent lights, and an unsettling stillness and silence.
Levels 1-10
The first levels people encounter as they try to navigate deeper into the Backrooms. They are characterized by monotonous office spaces, mazelike halls, and increased supernatural activity.
Levels 11-20
On these levels, the environment takes on more dilapidated and industrial characteristics. Rusting metal, pipes, and cold concrete become more prevalent.
Levels 21-40
The environment becomes more chaotic and inhospitable. Warped, fleshy growths and moist carpeting start appearing in some areas. The entities here also become more dangerous.
Levels 41-75
Very little is known about these levels, as few explorers have survived going this deep. They are thought to be extremely dangerous environments that truly defy reality.
What is known about Level 76 specifically?
Level 76 is situated quite deep into the Backrooms, past the first 40 safer levels. Not much concrete information is known about it, but there are some reports from the few explorers who claim to have been there:
- The space takes on a rusted, industrial atmosphere, with lots of concrete walls, exposed pipes, and flashing lights.
- The lights often go out entirely, plunging travelers into complete darkness.
- There are reservoirs and pools of dark, murky water throughout the level that seem infinitely deep.
- The air feels hot, humid, and oppressive, making it hard to breathe.
- Shadowy humanoid shapes are sometimes glimpsed in the distance before quickly disappearing.
- There is a constant background noise of pipes creaking and what sounds like anguished whispering.
Overall, Level 76 seems to be an extremely hostile and disorienting environment. The heat, darkness, and elusive figures make traversing this level extremely risky and draining. Many explorers have reported feeling like they were being watched or followed while on Level 76. Getting lost in the dark maze of rusting pipes often proves fatal.
What entities are encountered on Level 76?
Due to how deep Level 76 is within the Backrooms, the entities that reside here are some of the most dangerous encountered. They include:
Shadow Figures
These tall, human-shaped shadows are occasionally glimpsed skulking in the dark before disappearing. They seem intelligent and watch explorers menacingly, but never attack directly.
Pale Crawlers
Also known as “albino crawlers,” these humanoid creatures have long, pale limbs and scurry around on all fours. They are extremely fast and aggressive, overwhelming victims through sheer speed.
Facelings
Facelings are thought to have originated somewhere around Level 76. They appear human at first, but have eerily smooth, featureless faces. They lure in victims by imitating voices before attacking.
Smilers
This rare but dangerous entity appears as an ordinary human man wearing dated business attire and an unnaturally large smile. They conceal weapons within their clothes to strike when explorers get close.
Vermin
All manner of rats, insects, and other crawling vermin seem to be attracted to Level 76, feeding on the refuse and filthy water sources. They can spread disease or nibble away at unconcious explorers.
Leonids
These creatures resemble a cross between a human and a lion. They display high intelligence and aggressively hunt any explorers traversing their domain on Level 76.
What strategies are recommended for navigating Level 76?
Due to the multitude of threats on Level 76, extreme caution is advised for anyone attempting to pass through this area of the Backrooms. Recommended strategies include:
- Having multiple light sources – Flashlights and flares are essential to avoid getting lost in the dark when the lights cut out.
- Traveling light – Supplies and gear will only slow you down. Bring minimal food/water.
- Moving stealthily – Avoid attracting the attention of entities by moving quietly and hiding frequently.
- Mapmaking – Sketching a map can help you keep track of where you’ve been in the maze-like level.
- Leaving a trail – To avoid getting lost, leave a subtle trail of objects to follow back.
- Ignoring voices – Disorienting mimicry and cries for help from entities should be ignored.
- Caution around water – Don’t let your guard down around the dark pools and reservoirs.
However, even experienced travelers cannot guarantee safe passage through Level 76 due to how unpredictable and dangerous it is. Avoidance may be the best strategy.
What lies beyond Level 76?
Due to the extremely limited number of explorers who have gone past Level 76, very little is concretely known about what lies beyond it in the deeper Backrooms levels.
Some unverified reports indicate the environment becomes even more alien and inorganic. The ceilings become impossibly high, the rooms become massive caverns, and the entities morph into forms incomprehensible to the human mind. Physical laws may begin to break down entirely.
However, it is unclear if the Backrooms even have a defined end or bottom layers. The infinite series of levels may repeat in endless configurations, becoming progressively more horrifying and hostile to life as they descend into an unknowable darkness inhabited by the twisted remnants of reality.
Conclusion
Level 76 of the Backrooms remains shrouded in mystery due to how few have survived exploring its harsh, rusting halls and maze-like rooms. It is inhabited by powerful, hostile entities and environments that can easily overwhelm the wary traveler. Caution and preparation are paramount, but even seasoned explorers cannot be certain what awaits them in the shadowy depths beyond Level 76 – or if the levels even end at all. The risks are profound, but for some, the siren call of discovering the mysteries below is irresistible.